Madonna Hospital
Several years ago, the Justice Development and Peace Commission in Nigeria and the diocese of Umuahia, in south eastern Nigeria, established the need for a hospital to serve all people in the region. Construction of Madonna Hospital began in earnest. The diocese was working with a group of interested people from the UK. Unfortunately, both ran short on funds and the roofless 1 story structure stood empty and subject to the ravages of the weather for several years. In 2006, WADSO became actively involved in raising money to continue the construction of the hospital. Today, Madonna Hospital is a spacious 33,000 square foot, light-filled facility that will serve both the wealthy and the poor when its doors open.
Currently, about 560 patients are seen in the out-patient clinic in the hospital. A medical doctor and several registered nurses are there to meet the needs of the poor who come. Typical cases seen include malaria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and pre/post natal complications. Hypertension complicates many medical diseases in the patient population. An in-resident ophthalmologist also has an eye clinic each Friday.
Unfortunately over 90% of the health care service in Nigeria is provided by private physicians, some of whom take advantage of the poor or provide health care at an unaffordable cost.
Umuahia is one of the major cosmopolitan towns in this area of Nigeria with a population of 285,000 people . The hospital will serve a great diversity of people both in the city and surrounding rural area. This mostly rural diocese consists of members of many faith communities including Catholics, Muslims, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, and other African faiths. All are welcome and served by the hospital.